Chapter 71

• I was on the verge of finally telling him my secret when he abruptly left. I stared down the empty corridor, wondering when he'd return. Part of me just wanted to get it over and done with so we could move on with our lives. Maybe he would be okay with it, but even if he wasn't then at least I knew. Part of the agony I'd been going through was the uncertainty of not knowing how he was going to react - at least know we'd finally be able to find out.
• I pulled myself up off the floor and tenderly touched my lips. He had kissed me on the lips, and they were still aching. I'd missed his physical touch so much that I'd never craved anything else in the world as much as I craved him - he was like a drug I couldn't live without.
• I straightened my clothes and smoothed my hair over where he had ruffled it up. He was about to return with his personal guards, and I'd finally get to visit the palace I'd heard so much about. I excitedly considered gathering a few items from my bedroom to take with me. I should probably take the old queen's journal out of the hidden room with me.